BPD: More officers on patrol, DUI checkpoint on St. Patrick's Day

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Bakersfield Police Department is preparing for St. Patrick's Day by placing more officers on patrol and holding a DUI/driver's license checkpoint.

According to BPD, additional officers will be on patrol from 4 p.m. to midnight on St. Patrick's Day, which falls on Sunday, March 17. Officers will be patrolling for drivers suspected of driving under the influence.

BPD says they will also be holding a DUI/driver's license checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the city limits on Saturday, March 16 from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. on Sunday.

According to data from the California Highway Patrol, one person was killed and 48 others were injured in DUI crashes on St. Patrick’s Day last year. In 2017, 59 people were killed nationwide in drunk-driving crashes over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday weekend, accounting for 37 percent of all traffic deaths.